Malindi at a glance
Malindi is the northern end of the coast covered by this guide. Its main sights are the Malindi Marine National Park and Reserve, the Vasco da Gama Pillar on a headland and the Malindi Museum. The town has its own airport, which KWS names as the air route to the marine park.
This is an independent guide, not the site of a park authority, a museum or a tour company. Fees below are published rates for 2026. Confirm them on arrival.
Malindi Marine National Park and Reserve
Reefs, seagrass, mangroves and mudflats.
KWS describes four habitats here: coral reefs, seagrass meadows, mangroves and mudflats. By road, the entrance is about 5 km from the town center via Casuarina Road. If you arrive by air, you land at Malindi Airport and continue by road. The park lies south of the town, so a hotel in town is not automatically close to the park.
| Visitor group | Adult | Child |
|---|---|---|
| Non-residents | $25 | $15 |
| Rest of Africa | $15 | $10 |
| Kenya residents | KES 675 | KES 350 |
| East African citizens | KES 500 | KES 250 |
A KWS daily fee is a single entry valid for up to 24 hours. KWS also lists separate parking fees at Malindi, Mombasa and Shimoni, with an exception for visitors who hold a paid park ticket. Park fees do not include a boat or a guide, so ask what any trip covers. KWS published its current list in October 2025 and the press reported a court stop soon after, so treat the figures as planning values.
Our pick: a day trip from Malindi
This day runs from and back to Malindi, with entry to both the Gede Ruins and Arabuko-Sokoke Forest already included.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Malindi and north coast tours
Boat trips, snorkeling and day excursions along the Kenya coast, with live prices and availability.
The Vasco da Gama Pillar
The National Museums of Kenya lists the pillar as a National Monument on a headland in Malindi. You reach it by road and by a footpath. Parking is limited, and the ground becomes slippery after rain, so wear shoes with grip.
Opening hours are not clear. The pillar's own page gives 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day, while the site footer gives 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Plan to arrive between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. and do not rely on a late entry. The fee list that took effect on May 7, 2026 names the Malindi Museum but not the pillar, so ask at the entrance what you pay and whether the museum ticket covers it.
Heritage sights in Malindi
Fees from May 7, 2026 for visitors from outside Africa.
| Sight | Adult | Child | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Malindi Museum | $8 | $4 | Confirm at the entrance |
| Vasco da Gama Pillar | – | – | 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. or 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., sources differ |
It is not confirmed whether a museum ticket includes the pillar or the Portuguese Chapel. Ask before you buy. For comparison, the Swahili town of Gede near Watamu charges $8 and $4 as well, see the Gede Ruins guide.
Marafa, also called Hell's Kitchen
A day-trip name that needs a route check.
Marafa is a set of sandstone gorges near Malindi, shaped by erosion. It is not a volcanic crater. An older national guide places it about 33 km northwest of Malindi, and that figure is for orientation only. Current entry fees, guide rules and opening times for Marafa need to be confirmed locally.
Before you plan it, check the exact route against the US advisory described below, which names coastal areas north of Malindi and part of Kilifi County as Do Not Travel. Do not treat Marafa as a routine, safe day trip without checking.
Travel advice for Malindi, October 2026
Malindi is close to areas that governments treat differently.
United States, October 19, 2026
Level 3, Reconsider travel, for all of Kenya because of added health risks. Do Not Travel applies to Kilifi County north of Highway C103, coastal areas north of Malindi and Tana River County except Tsavo National Park. The notice describes these areas separately, so read the full text for your route.
United Kingdom, updated October 16, 2026
The FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the 15 km coastal strip between the Tana and the Galana or Sabaki rivers, and lists further areas to the north.
Germany, valid since October 19, 2026
A partial travel warning, with a higher risk of robbery on beaches and in town centers at night.
Safety guide →Entry insurance
Since October 5, 2026, most foreign short-stay visitors need Kenyan state travel health insurance, according to the FCDO. Foreign policies do not replace it, and an eTA does not exempt you.
Getting there →Lamu lies further north and is covered by its own guide, VisitLamu.org, not by this one. Read your own government's notice before you decide how far north to go.
Plan the rest of your trip
Neighbors to the south and practical pages.
Malindi: frequently asked questions
How much does the Malindi Marine Park cost?
KWS lists $25 for non-resident adults and $15 for children. Kenya residents pay KES 675 and KES 350, and East African citizens KES 500 and KES 250. The fee is a single entry valid for up to 24 hours.
Is the Vasco da Gama Pillar free?
The fee list from May 7, 2026 names the Malindi Museum, with $8 for non-resident adults and $4 for children, but not the pillar. Ask at the entrance what applies and do not assume the museum price covers it.
What are the opening hours?
The sources differ: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the pillar's own page, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on the site footer and the general fee notice. Plan inside the shorter window.
Is Malindi safe to visit?
This guide does not give a blanket answer. The US names Do Not Travel areas north of Malindi and in northern Kilifi County, the UK warns against the coastal strip between the Tana and Galana or Sabaki rivers, and Germany notes a higher risk of robbery at night. Check each notice, keep to daylight and plan any trip north with care.
Do I need insurance to enter Kenya?
Since October 5, 2026, most foreign short-stay visitors need Kenyan state travel health insurance, according to the FCDO. A foreign policy or an existing eTA does not replace it. Check the rules for your nationality.
Can I visit Marafa as a day trip?
Only after you check the route and the current fees locally. The gorges are formed by erosion, and the access roads may fall within areas that the US advises against. Do not book it without a route check.